Syncline 2006 Mourvedre

The Winery: Syncline
The Wine: 2006 Mourvedre
The Price: $27.99 at Seattle Cellars

This review is a result of an email I received from Martha in Portland who stumbled upon my reviews. So, Martha, this one is for you.

What drew me to this wine is the gadget-lover in me. The bottle has a glass stopper instead of a cork. I've seen beer with glass (or ceramic) stoppers, but never wine. So I had to round up a bottle.

I don't recall ever having a wine that was strictly a Mourvedre. I've had it in blends, but not as a varietal. So I really had no idea what to expect from the wine.

The Mourvedre is a very deep red, and has very well-developed legs. The wine has a rich, velvety appearance.

The wine has a very full-bodied smell. It is very rich, with scents of prune and cherry. Based on the look and smell of the wine, I expected it to taste a lot like a Pinot Noir. It doesn't. The initial flavor is sweeter than I would expect. It hits me like a cherry cordial, then it mellows to a rich, velvety plum taste. It is very, very good. I would go so far as to call it excellent. The wine definitely delivers on the quality I would expect in the $28 price range. A great wine with a cool stopper. You can't go wrong with that combination.

Barnard Griffin 2007 Rosé of Sangiovese

The Winery: Barnard Griffin
The Wine: 2007 Rosé of Sangiovese
The Price: $10.99 at Whole Foods

This past week I attended a wine tasting event through Seattle Uncorked, which featured Rosés. I have reviewed one or two Rosés in the past, and was surprised at how good they can be. Before you turn up your nose, think beyond Ernest and Julio Gallo. Or to put it in Corporate-Speak, think outside the box (boxed wine, that is).

Unlike the low-quality Rosés that you may have been served by your aunt along with her dry turkey and can-shaped cranberries, good Rosés are made with quality grapes, and get their light color by minimizing contact with the grape skins once the grapes have been pressed.

The Barnard Griffin Rosé is a clear red in color. It looks a lot like Ocean Spray cranberry juice. In the glass, it looks like it should be served at Christmas or on Valentine's day. The color is very festive.

The wine has a very bright and crisp scent. It smells of strawberries, with a floral undertone.

This wine has a crisp apple and strawberry flavor. It is fairly dry, and has a creamy quality to it. It's very good and refreshing. At $10.99 it is very fairly priced, and could probably be found for a buck or two less at a more mainstream grocer or wine shop.

I would serve this wine with a light summer dinner - perhaps a light grilled fish with a mixed greens and apple salad.

Sokol Blosser 2006 Dundee Hills Cuvee Pinot Gris

The Winery: Sokol Blosser
The Wine: 2006 Dundee Hills Cuvee Pinto Gris
The Price: This wine is sold out. I got it in the latest shipment from the Cellar Club.

Sunny weather has finally arrived in Seattle, so I am welcoming it with a bottle of Pinot Gris.

The Sokol Blosser Pinot Gris is fairly light yellow wine. The wine has aromas of apples and citrus, with a subtle honey scent. The wine has flavors of apple and peach, with a bit of a spicy finish. The wine has a fairly complex and well-developed taste. It is a little dry compared to other Pinot Gris I've sampled recently. As I've come to expect from Sokol Blosser, this is another great wine. I'm sorry to learn that it's sold out. I would have liked to have snatched up a few more bottles for my collection.